A birthday with surprises

Karis celebrated turning 12 by waking up on a couch (top right).

Actually, it was a visitor-induced slumber party, and all the kids were in the living room because their rooms were occupied by guests, but it was reminiscent of birthdays in Uganda.

They used to love sleeping together on the eve of someone's birthday...

...and then again the night of.   This is Caleb's 5th in 2011.

Of course, back then, they all used to fit in one twin bed (even with Caleb sleeping with his legs in the "butterfly" position (see above).

The benefit of sleeping in the living room in our current house is that the one air condition unit in the house is in this room.  We haven't installed any others...yet.

Karis had a great birthday, and her biggest joy came from a package our visitors brought with gifts from grandparents, a beloved family, and a best friend!

The beloved family even provided a cake mix, frosting, and sprinkles.

AND...our first package from America arrived on her birthday. 

Can't get much better than that!  Thanks Yoakum ladies!  Your class blessed us tremendously.

A few days before Karis' birthday, Doug and Kylie stumbled upon a wood carver who spoke and carved in another language.  One of our guests "just happened" to speak that language, and he helped Doug arrange for Karis' name to be written in the script of the language WE are learning.  Kylie wrote it out for the man, and Doug picked it up 3 or 4 days later. 

Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks for those of you who lifted up Karis on this day.  She had a special day.